Sea bottom coring apparatus



May 6, 1969 T. N. WILLIAMSON I SEA BOTTOM CORING APPARATUS N w. 2 m f M o LN J LE Y M E /N N m s KT m W A S H T Y B 7 6 9 l l b e F d e l 1 F May 6, 1969 T. N. WILLIAMSON SBA BOTTOM CORING APPARATUS Sheet 2 of2 Filed Feb. 17, 1967 N I wm M E Y M W %N u h m M f T m N. M S 6 A 5 M O alllL w flF-HEP-i i M x NJ m 5 I. 4 E R .M 4 U W F HeuRE a United States Patent 3,442,339 SEA BOTTOM CORING APPARATUS Thomas N. Williamson, Houston, Tex., assignor to Hughes Tool Company, Houston, Tex., a corporation of Delaware Filed Feb. 17, 1967, Ser. No. 616,893 Int. Cl. E21b 7/12 U.S. Cl. 175-6 11'Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A marine bottom coring apparatus for drilling into and obtaining core samples from sub-sea formations. It is particularly useful for drilling into and obtaining core samples from hard rock formations.

This invention relates to a marine bottom coring apparatus for use in drilling into and obtaining core samples from sub-sea formations. More particularly, it relates to a drilling apparatus which is adapted to be operated remotely from a vessel, for example, and which is further adapted for lowering to the sea bottom where the drilling operation can be carried out to remove a core sample from hard formation such as rock and thereafter floated to the surface with the core sample retained therein.

There has long been need for a drilling device to take samples to sub-sea formations which device is easily operated, and economic of operation as well.

The prior art contains many examples of apparatus for obtaining ocean bottom samples wherein the sample obtained is of soft material such as silt, marine life and the like. Heretofore, samples of the ocean bottom have been obtained by dredging, explosive coring, large mounted drilling rigs, and probes which are dropped 'by gravity force.

During dredging operations, particularly below a few hundred feet, only loose surface material to a few inches in depth is obtained. Explosive coring is limited in depth to a few feet in sediments and a few inches in hard rock. Large mounted drilling rigs are bulky, expensive and take too much time and skill for the broad surveys required. The probe type devices are not adaptable for taking samples from hard rock formations.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an improved sub-sea or marine bottom coring apparatus for drilling into and obtaining core samples from hard formations, which apparatus overcomes the aforesaid short comings of the prior art.

Briefly stated, the apparatus of this invention is for a marine bottom coring device for drilling into and obtaining core samples from sub-sea formations. It includes a frame having buoyancy means connected thereto, which buoyancy means has sufficient capacity to float the apparatus in the unballast condition. Ballasting means are also connected to the frame and having ballast capacity suflicient to overcome a buoyancy of the buoyancy means. Release means are provided for releasing the ballast at a predetermined time. The frame has connected thereto the core drilling means for drilling into the sub-sea bottom and obtaining a core sample therefrom when the frame is supported on the sea bottom, whereby the apparatus may be sunk to the sea bottom by the ballast of the ballast means, a core sample drilled from the sub-sea formation, and the apparatus floated to the surface upon release of the ballast, thereby carrying the core sample therewith to the surface.

Reference to the drawings will further explain the in vention wherein like numerals refer to like parts and in which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of one embodiment of a Patented May 6, 1969 drilling apparatus made in accordance with this invention.

FIG. 2 is a reduced schematic elevation view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 during the initial phase of the coring operation.

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, but showing the drill stem removed, along with the core sample.

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3, but showing the apparatus being floated to the surface in the inverted condition.

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of another embodiment of an apparatus of this invention.

FIG. 6 is a reduced schematic elevation view of the apparatus of FIG. 5, shown in an initial phase of the coring operation.

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6, but showing the drilling stem fully projected into the sub-sea formation.

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7, but showing the coring operation complete and the apparatus being floated to the surface with the core sample retained therein.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary elevation view, partially in central section of the lower end of the drill stern shown in FIG. 1.

Referring now to FIG. 1, the embodiment shown therein is provided with a frame 11 comprising two spaced apart A-frames 12, the upper ends of which are connected by a generally horizontally extending upper cross bar 13 and the lower ends of which are each attached to a pontoon 14. It is to be understood that pontoons 14 are water tight and have sufiicient capacity and are filled with air such that the apparatus will float in the inverted position shown in FIG. 4 when in the unballasted condition. Each of the frames 12 have a cross bar 15 joining the legs thereof and pontoons 14 are connected by cross bars 16 at the ends thereof and a flat base member 17 at the center thereof.

The apparatus includes ballast means having suflicient capacity to overcome the buoyancy of pontoons 14, which ballast means conveniently takes the form of ballast box 20 adapted for containing a ballast such as sand. Box 20 is provided with a trap door 21 at the bottom thereof which is connected to be actuated to the open position by solenoid 22 at the rear thereof as shown in FIG. 1. Solenoid 22 is adapted to be operated through electrical cables from above, and upon actuation thereof trap door 21 is opened thereby permitting any ballast contained in box 20 to be dumped or released therefrom. Solenoid 22 acts as a release means to release the ballast at the predetermined time. Since the ballast means is located near the bottom of the frame, it will sink in the upright position, but float inverted to the surface.

The apparatus includes core drilling means connected to the frame for drilling into the sub-sea bottom when the frame is supported on the sea bottom, which means conveniently includes an upright derrick 25 in the form of an I beam providing rails or flanges on which carriage 26 is mounted for vertical movement up and down. Carriage 26 supports motor 27, which may be either electrical or hydraulic, which motor is adapted to rotate drill stem 28 through 'drive chain 30. In addition, carriage 26 has mounted thereon motor 31 which operates percussion mechanism 29 of conventional design to impart a percussion motion to drill stem 28. When percussion motion is being imparted to drill stem 28, then it would be rotated through a cam action at an rpm. of about 200. If rotary motion alone is to be used, then drill stem 28 would be rotated in the range of about 5001000 r.p.m.

Drill stem 28 is a tubular member of conventional design having an axial bore therein for receiving the core sample into the lower end thereof, and cutting surface adapted to cut into the rock formation. The outside sur- -face of drill stem 28 is provided with .a spiral auger flight for the purpose of removing cuttings from the bore hole.

The lower end of drill stem 28 is of conventional design and has mounted on the internal surface thereof retainer means for frictionally engaging and holding the core sample therein. These retainer means may conveniently take the form of a plurality of arcuate shaped finger springs such as fingers 36, shown in FIG. 9, which frictionally engage the outside surface of the annular core sample after the core has been drilled. The retainer means causes the core sample to be retained inside of drill stem 28.

Means are provided for advancing the drilling means into the sub-sea formation which conveniently take the form of drive chain 32 mounted over upper shaft 33 and lower shaft 34 mounted in derrick 25 and driven by motor 35 operating through appropriate gear reduction means. Motor 35 may be either electrical or hydraulic. If the motors of the apparatus are operated entirely by electrical means, then the electrical source could be a plurality of batteries stored in battery box 37 or from an electrical source above sea level.

Means may also be provided for removing cuttings from the top of the bore hole during the drilling operation which conveniently take the form of a propeller 39 mounted on base member 17 which can conveniently be operated by an electrical motor whereby the wash is directed to the top of the bore hole to thereby wash the bore hole cuttings away during the drilling operation, to permit monitoring of the operation by television or other means.

The top portion of derrick 25 is provided with a lifting eye 40 to which may be secured cable means for the point where the core sample is to be taken. The apparatus is lowered to the sea bottom and supported on the sea bottom generally in the condition shown in FIG. 1. Ballast box 20 will have contained therein a sufficient amount of ballast sand, gravel or the like whereby the entire apparatus will sink to the bottom of the sea in the upright position. Once the apparatus has reached the sea bottom, the drilling operation is then started by applying power to motors 27 and 31 to thereby rotate drill stem 28. It is also advanced downwardly by operation of motor 35, whereby carriage 26 is advanced downwardly. The drill cuttings will be removed by the spiral auger flight on the outside of drill stem 28. It is to be understood that fluid could be circulated down through the drill stem 28 for the purpose of removing the cuttings.

As the drilling continues the cuttings are brought to the surface of the formation where they are washed away by propeller 39. Drilling is continued until drill stem 28 is advanced downwardly a predetermined distance such as to the position shown generally in FIG. 2, at which point carriage 26 strikes a limit switch (not shown) thereby reversing direction of motor 35, to thereby withdraw drill stem 28 to the initial starting position with the core sample contained therein by fingers 36. At this point, solenoid 22 can then be operated such that the sacrificial ballast contained in ballast box 20 is released, which is the position of the apparatus shown in FIG. 3.

With the ballast material thus dumped, pontoons 14 thereby cause the apparatus to start lifting. Because the pontoons 14 are located on the bottom portion of the apparatus, and because of their capacity, they will turn the entire apparatus upside down and bring it out of the hole and in inverted attitude such as that shown in FIG. 4. This will tend to keep the core sample in the drill stem 28 to prevent loss thereof.

The industry is therefore provided with a light maneuverable apparatus which is particularly useful in obtaining core samples from sub-sea rock formations.

Referring now to FIG. 5, another embodiment of the invention shown, the operation of which is similar to that shown in FIG. 1, except that it has somewhat different means for advancing the core drilling means into the formation. This embodiment of the invention includes frame 43, the lower end of which is connected to a pair of pontoons 44, which are water tight and contain air to provide buoyancy. Ballast means are also included in the form of sand box 45 mounted at the bottom of the frame, and which is provided with trap door means (not shown) which can be opened at the appropriate time to dump the ballast therefrom. Pontoons 44 are held apart by cross bars 46 near each end thereof, and by base member 47 which supports sand box 45.

Frame 43 also supports in the vertical position derrick 50 in the form of an I beam which has mounted thereon for vertical up and down movement carriage 51, which is similar to carriage 26 shown in FIG. 1. Carriage 51 supports motor 52 which is adapted to rotate drill stem 53 through drive chain 54. Carriage 51 also has motor 55 which imparts percussion motion to drill stem 53 through percussion mechanism 57. Drill stem 53 is similar to drill stem 28 shown in FIG. 1, and the operation thereof is the same.

Base member 47 has mounted thereon electrical fan 56 which is positioned to wash cuttings away from the top of the bore hole during drilling operations to permit monitoring as by television.

Drill stem 53 and carriage 51 are initially held in the raised position as shown in FIG. 5 by any convenient means, as for example, a friction latch (not shown). Carriage 51 also has attached thereto tether means including hoist 58 having wound thereon about twelve feet of wire line 60 and is provided with electrically operated brake means (not shown) to prevent payout of line 60 until a predetermined time. The free end of line 60 passes under pulley 61 mounted on a cross bar 46, with the other end thereof attached to a deflated underwater balloon 62. It is to be understood that balloon 62 may be inflated at a predetermined time by an electrical signal opening a pressurized gas container mounted in the lower portion of balloon 62.

Carriage 51 also has attached to the upper portion thereof another wire line 64, the opposite end of which is also attached to balloon 62, but having a shorter length than line 60. Derrick 50 also has a lifting eye at the top end thereof which may be used to connect a line to a vessel positioned over the point where the core sample is to be taken.

In operation, sand box 45 is filled with sufi'lcient ballast to overcome the buoyancy provided by pontoons 44. The apparatus is floated to the sea bottom in position shown in FIG. 5 until it came to rest on the sea bottom. Thereafter, motors 52 and 55 are operated to turn drill stem 53, and balloon 62 is inflated to thereby advance carriage 51 downwardly since balloon 62 will be pulling upward on wire line 60, operating over pulley 61, thereby pulling carriage 51 downwardly since hoist 58 is held in the nonpay-out position by the brake means referred to above.

, The apparatus at this point is in the general position shown in FIG. 6. As drilling continues, carriage 51 and drill stem 53 are advanced downwardly and the apparatus assumes the position shown generally in FIG. 7.

Derrick 50 is provided with a limit switch (not shown) which is actuated by carriage 51 when it reaches the full extent of its downward movement. The limit switch releases the brake means, causing hoist 58 to start paying out wire 60. Because line 60 is of a greater length than line 64, a point is reached where line 64 becomes taut by the pulling force exerted by balloon 62, whereby carriage 51 and drill stem 53 are retracted to the raised position. At this point, the ballast means contained in sand box 45 can be dumped at which point the entire apparatus is floated to the surface in the condition shown in FIG. 8, with the core sample retained in the lower end of drill stem 53 by fingers (not shown) similar to fingers 36 shown in FIG. 9.

It will thus be observed that the industry has been pro vided with a light maneuverable apparatus for taking core samples from sub-sea formations such as rock, which apparatus is inexpensive to operate. It is particularly useful in prospecting and scientific and geophysical exploration and investigation.

Further modifications may be made in the invention as particularly described without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description is to be construed as illustratively and is not to be construed as a limitation upon the invention as defined in the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Marine bottom coring apparatus for drilling into and obtaining core samples from sub-sea formations, comprising in combination:

a frame;

buoyancy means connected to said frame and having sufiicient buoyancy capacity to float the apparatus in the unballasted condition;

ballast means connected to said frame and having ballast capacity sufiicient to overcome the buoyancy of said buoyancy means;

release means for releasing ballast from said ballast means at predetermined times;

powered core drilling means connected to said frame for drilling into said sub-sea bottom and obtaining a core sample therefrom when said frame is sup ported on the sea bottom; and power means connected to said frame for advancing said drilling means relative to said frame;

whereby said apparatus may be sunk to the sea bottom by the ballast of said ballast means, a core sample drilled from said sub-sea formation, and said apparatus floated to surface upon release of ballast.

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 including:

means connected to said frame for lowering the apparatus to the sea bottom.

3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein:

said core drilling means includes a rotary drill stem having an axial bore therein for receiving a core sample therein.

4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein:

said drill stem includes retainer means for frictionally engaging and holding said core sample therein.

5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein:

said core drilling means includes rotation means for rotating said drill stem and means for advancing and retracting said drill stem into said sub-sea formation during rotation thereof.

6. In a marine bottom coring apparatus for drilling into and obtaining core samples from sub-sea formations, the combination comprising:

a frame;

buoyancy means connected to said frame and having sufiicient buoyancy capacity to fioat the apparatus in 5 the unballasted condition, said buoyancy means including at least two generally elongated pontoons connected to the bottom end of said frame, with the long axes thereof being generally transverse to said drill stem, and having sufficient buoyancy capacity whereby said frame is supported in the upright posi-' tion by said pontoons during the drilling operation and in the inverted position after release of said ballast means;

ballast means connected to said frame and having ballast capacity sufiicient to overcome the buoyancy of said buoyancy means;

release means for releasing ballast from said ballast means at predetermined times;

core drilling means connected to said frame for drilling into said sub-sea bottom and obtaining a core sample therefrom when said frame is supported on the sea bottom;

whereby said apparatus may be sunk to the sea bottom by the ballast of said ballast means, a core sample drilled from said sub-sea formation, and said apparatus floated to surface upon release of ballast.

7. In a marine bottom coring apparatus for drilling into and obtaining core samples from sub-sea formations, the combination comprising:

a frame;

buoyancy means connected to said frame and having suificient buoyancy capacity to float the apparatus in the unballasted condition;

ballast means connected to said frame and having ballast capacity sufiicient to overcome the buoyancy of said buoyancy means, said ballast means including a ballast container having a releasable door means on the bottom thereof, whereby said ballast can be jettisoned by operation of said door means;

release means for releasing ballast from said ballast means at predetermined times;

core drilling means connected to said frame for drilling into said sub-sea bottom and obtaining a core sample therefrom when said frame is supported on the sea bottom;

whereby said apparatus may be sunk to the sea bottom by the ballast of said ballast means, a core sample drilling from said sub-sea formation, and said apparatus floated to surface upon release of ballast.

8. In a marine bottom coring apparatus for drilling into and obtaining core samples from sub-sea formations, the combination comprising:

a frame;

buoyancy means connected to said frame and having sufiicient buoyancy capacity to float the apparatus in the unballasted condition;

ballast means connected to said frame and having ballast capacity sufiicient to overcome the buoyancy of said buoyancy means;

release means for releasing ballast from said ballast means at predetermined times;

core drilling means connected to said frame for drilling into said sub-sea bottom and obtaining a core sample therefrom when said frame is supported on the sea bottom, said core drilling means including a rotary drill stem having an axial bore therein for receiving a core sample therein, and means for rotating said drill stern and means for advancing and retracting said drill stern into said sub-sea formation thereof, said means for advancing and retracting said drill stem including an inflatable balloon having means for inflation at a predetermined time and tether means connected to said balloon and said frame and adapted to advance said drill stern downwardly upon initial inflation of said balloon and to retract said drill stern after said drill stem has been advanced downwardly a predetermined distance;

whereby said apparatus may be sunk to the sea bottom 5 by the ballast of said ballast means, a core sample drilled from said sub-sea formation, and said apparatus floated to surface upon release of ballast. 9. In a marine bottom coring apparatus for drilling into and obtaining core samples from sub-sea formations, 60 the combination comprising:

a frame; buoyancy means connected to said frame and having sufiicient buoyancy capacity to float the apparatus in the unballasted condition; ballast means connected to said frame and having ballast capacity sufficient to overcome the buoyancy of said buoyancy means; release means for releasing ballast from said ballast means at predetermined times; core drilling means connected to said frame for drilling into said sub-sea bottom and obtaining a core sample therefrom when said frame is supported on the sea bottom, said core drilling means including a rotary drill stern having an axial bore therein for receiving a core sample therein, and means for rotating said drill stem and means for advancing and retracting I means tethered by a first line passing over pulley means connected to advance said drill stem upon inflation of said balloon means, said pulley means including reel means with releasable brake means for storing a supply of said first line during the advanceriage for moving said carriage up and down relative to said frame;

whereby said apparatus may be sunk to the sea bottom by the ballast of said ballast means, a core sample drilled from said sub-sea formation, and said apparatus floated to surface upon release of ballast.

11. In a marine bottom coring apparatus for drilling into and obtaining core samples from sub-sea formations, the combination comprising:

a frame;

ment of said drill stem and adapted to release said 10 buoyancy means connected to said frame and having stored line upon completion of said drillings, and a sufficient buoyancy capacity to float the apparatus in second line connected to said inflatable balloon means the unballasted condition;

and the top end of said drill stem, said second line ballast means connected to said frame and having ballast being of a shorter length than said first line, wherecapacity suflicient to overcome the buoyancy of said by said drill stem is retracted upon release of said buoyancy means;

brake means; release means for releasing ballast from said ballast whereby said apparatus may be sunk to the sea bottom means at predetermined times;

by the ballast of said ballast means, a core sample core drilling means connected to said frame for drilling drilled from said sub-sea formation, and said apinto said sub-sea bottom and obtaining a core sample paratus floated to surface upon release of ballast. therefrom when said frame is supported on the sea 10. In a marine bottom coring apparatus for drilling bottom, said core drilling means including a rotary into and obtaining core samples from sub-sea formations, drill stem having an axial bore therein for receiving the combination comprising: a core sample therein, and means for rotating said a frame; drill stem and means for advancing and retracting buoyancy means connected to said frame and having said drill stem into said sub-sea formation during suflicient buoyancy capacity to float the apparatus in rotation thereof;

the unballasted condition; and means for removing bore cuttings from the top ballast means connected to said frame and having ballast of the bore hole during rotation of said drill stem;

capacity sufiicient to overcome the buoyancy of said whereby said apparatus may be sunk to the sea bottom buoyancy means; by the ballast of said ballast means, a core sample release means for releasing ballast from said ballast drilled from said sub-sea formation, and said appameans at predetermined times; ratus floated to surface upon release of ballast. core drilling means connected to said frame for drilling into said sub-sea bottom and obtaining a core sample References Cited therefrom when said frame is supported on the sea UNITED STATES PATENTS bottom, said core drilling means including a rotary drill stem having an axial bore therein for receiving a 2665885 1/1954 Glgnoux 175-6 core sample therein, and means for rotating said drill 2798378 7/1957 Del Raso et 1758 stem and means for advancing and retracting said drill 40 52232222 stem into said sub sea formation during rotation 3,295,616 '1/ 1967 Charlton et a1 175 5 thereof, said means for advancing and retracting said drill stem including a vertically movable carriage mounted for vertical sliding movement on said frame and adapted to support the upper end of said drill stern, and chain drive means connected to said car- CHARLES E. OCONNELL, Primary Examiner.

R. E. FAVREAU, Assistant Examiner. 

